High density power and signal ribbon connectors save space in high-vibration and shock environments

Highly reliable power and signal Molex Picoflex connectors are now available through TTI Europe. Tested to meet the requirements of high-vibration and shock environments found in a wide number of industrial, consumer and automotive products, the connectors have a space-saving, robust package which suits diverse wire-to-board applications and also mates with industry-standard 1.27mm pitch ribbon cable. They are available in four to 26 circuits. Suitable applications include vehicle infotainment systems, telecommunications equipment, industrial power supplies, solar converters and inverters, portable heart monitors, and office equipment. The company has now expanded the Picoflex family to include reverse-footprint SMT headers, with and without latches, which provide a cos-effective alternative second-source system with no necessity for expensive board re-design. The connectors save space as they have a mated height of only 6.4mm in vertical mating configurations, 15% less than traditional 1.27mm connector systems. The robust single piece upper housing also provides excellent cable retention and is ideal for space-constrained applications. A feature of the high-reliability contact is a four-point interface with the cable and two points of contact between the header and the receptacle. The connector range also offers excellent polarisation to both the PCB and between the female connector and header. Multiple series of the connectors are available, including: through hole, high-temperature, right-angle header; SMT latched header with positive-latch feature giving 50% extra retention; SMT low-profile header creating a double-sided board effect with single-sided SMT process for easier assembly; vertical through-hole header manufactured in high-temperature nylon 4/6 for IR compatibility; and others. The new Picoflex Reverse Footprint SMT headers include the reverse footprint, vertical header 93405 Series, the 93407 Series reverse footprint vertical SMT latched header and the 90327 Series low profile, IDT connector.